IELTS vs OET for GMC registration
IELTS is cheaper and more widely available; OET is medically contextualised and often feels easier for practising doctors. Both are accepted by the GMC at their published thresholds. Pick the format you can pass fastest — the GMC weighs neither more heavily than the other.
Who this applies to
- Doctors choosing which English test to sit for the first time.
- Doctors who narrowly missed a score in one test and are considering switching.
Key requirements
| Content | IELTS: general academic; OET: clinical scenarios |
|---|---|
| Sittings | IELTS: more locations; OET: fewer but growing |
| Cost | Usually IELTS < OET (varies by country) |
| Difficulty | OET tends to feel more natural to clinicians |
Steps
1. Assess your writing
OET writing is a clinical referral letter; IELTS is an academic essay. Practise both to see which fits your style.
2. Check local availability
Check dates and locations near you for both tests. Faster availability may decide it.
3. Pick and commit
Book one and stop switching — cost and time compound with each restart.
Common failure points
- Repeatedly switching between tests instead of prepping to a plan.
- Underestimating the format shift in the writing sub-test.
Official sources
Every fact above should be confirmed against the controlling source before you act on it.